Single strap backpack with top and side access openings

ABSTRACT

A single strap backpack includes a top side opening and a lateral side opening with a single strap attached thereto the midpoint of the back side at the top and bottom thereof so that the backpack may be moved between a position on the back side of an individual and a position on the front side of the individual. The construction permits access to the interior of the backpack when on the back of an individual or when positioned on the front of the individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a backpackutilizing a single support strap.

[0002] Backpacks are very popular and are used for multiple purposes.Students often carry their books and materials in backpacks. Obviously,campers and sportsmen utilize backpacks for their sport.

[0003] Typically, a backpack is comprised of a flexible fabric pouchhaving a flexible or semi-rigid panel which sits against the back of aperson utilizing the backpack. Typically, the back panel includes firstand second shoulder straps which are stitched to the top and bottomrespectively of the back panel. The shoulder straps are often adjustableand are designed to fit over the separate shoulders of an individual sothat the backpack may be appropriately supported and carried on the backof the individual.

[0004] Access to the backpack contents when the backpack is positionedon the back of an individual is often difficult. The backpack must beremoved from the back of the individual and then an access openingopened to reveal the contents. Thus, there has developed a need for animproved backpack construction which will enable access by the userwithout fully removing the backpack from the shoulder of an individual.These and other objects have led to the development of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, the present invention comprises a single strap backpack.A pouch comprising a backpack includes a single strap which isadjustable and has a first end attached to the top of the backpack and asecond end attached to the bottom of the backpack. An access opening isalso provided in the top of the backpack. A second access opening isprovided in a lateral side of the backpack. The single strap may bepositioned over one shoulder of an individual so that the backpack willbe carried on the back of an individual and oriented for access throughthe top access opening. When the backpack is positioned against thestomach or the front side of an individual by adjusting or sliding thestrap over the shoulder of an individual, access to the interior isprovided through a second access opening in the lateral side of thebackpack. Thus, the backpack may be positioned on the back of anindividual for access through the top side or on the front side of anindividual for access through a lateral side of the backpack. Movementbetween the front side and back side of the individual is effectedmerely by sliding the shoulder strap over the shoulder and adjusting theposition of the backpack on the individual.

[0006] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedsingle strap backpack construction.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a backpackconstruction having access to the contents when positioned on the backof an individual as well as on the front side of an individual.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide an economical,easily used, rugged and inexpensive backpack construction utilizing asingle strap and having an access opening on the top and at least onelateral side thereof.

[0009] These and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] In the detailed description which follows reference will be madeto drawing comprised of the following figures:

[0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the backpack of the inventionwherein the backpack is positioned on the back side of an individual;and

[0012]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the backpack of the inventionwherein the backpack is positioned on the front side of an individual aseffected by sliding the shoulder strap over the shoulder of theindividual and moving the backpack from the back side of the individualas depicted in FIG. 1 to the front side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] Referring to the figures, a backpack 10 includes a top side 12, abottom side 14, a first lateral side 16, and a second lateral side 18.The backpack 10 further includes a front panel 20 and a back side panel22. The back side panel 21 is spaced from the front side panel 20 and,in combination with the other panels and sides of the backpack, forms apouch. The backpack 10 may include a top flap 22 which fits over a topaccess opening 24. A first lateral side flap 26 attached to the lateralside 16 by means of a zipper mechanism 28 permits access through thelateral side 16 of the backpack. Optionally, a second lateral side flap30 attached to lateral side 18 by a zipper 32 will permit access to theinterior of the backpack 10 through the second lateral side 18.

[0014] An adjustable strap 40 having a strap shoulder pad 42 includes afirst end 44 attached to the top 12 of the backpack 10. Second end 46 ofthe strap 40 is attached to the back panel 21 or bottom panel 14.Preferably, the strap 40, and more particularly, the first end 44 andthe second end 46 are attached to the midpoint or substantially at themidpoint of the back panel 21 and the top panel 12.

[0015] As depicted in FIG. 1, when the strap 40 is positioned over theleft shoulder, for example, of an individual and fitted around the righthip of an individual, the backpack 10 will be carried vertically upwardon the back of the individual with an access opening through the flap 22vertically oriented in an upward direction for ease of access to theinterior contents.

[0016] By sliding the shoulder strap 40 over the left hand shoulder ofthe individual so as to reposition the backpack 10 toward the front ofthe individual as shown in FIG. 2 with the back side 21 of the backpackfitted against the stomach or torso of the individual, the access flap26 may be opened by operation of the zipper 28 to thereby permit ingressto the backpack 10. In other words, the backpack 10 is oriented so thatthe access panel 26 is oriented upwardly vertically for vertical entrythrough the access opening to the interior of the backpack and to thecontents therein.

[0017] Thus, by sliding the strap 40 over the shoulder of an individualbetween the positions of FIGS. 1 and 2, access to the backpack may beeffected either through the top 12 or through the lateral side 16 of thebackpack. It is possible to provide for placement of the backpack overthe opposite shoulder of the individual and utilize the second lateralside flap 30 for access opening to the pouch 10. In any event, a singlestrap is provided for support of the backpack 10 and for movementthereof between a position associated with the front side of theindividual and a position associated with the back side of theindividual.

[0018] Various additional pouches and access openings may be provided tothe backpack 10. The construction of the strap may be varied and mayinclude shoulder pads and adjustment mechanisms of various types andconditions. Additionally, the means of attaching the strap 40 to thebackpack and the exact position of attachment thereof may amended oraltered without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claimsand equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single strap backpack comprising: a pouchhaving a top, a first lateral side, a second spaced opposite lateralside, a bottom, a front panel, and a back panel; a single support straphaving a first end attached to the top of the pouch and a second endattached to the bottom of the pouch, a first access opening in the firstlateral side oriented to a vertically upward position when the strap ispositioned over a shoulder of an individual with the pouch positioned onthe front side of said individual; and a second access opening in thetop oriented to a vertically upward position when the strap ispositioned over a shoulder of an individual with the pouch positioned onthe back side of said individual.
 2. The backpack of claim 1 wherein thepouch is soft sided and comprised of a flexible fabric.
 3. The backpackof claim 1 wherein the length of the strap is adjustable.